Subcouncil 14 welcomed its newly- deployed Metro Police neighbourhood-safety officers last week with marked enthusiasm.
The officers, five per ward, were introduced to ward councillors after the subcouncil meeting on Wednesday 17 September.
They were among more than 700 officers deployed under the City’s Project 1 000, which aims to strengthen local law enforcement through targeted support.
The recruits underwent 18 months of intensive training, beginning in December 2023. This included a year-long traffic officer course, metro police and firearm-competency training, evidence-based policing, tactical training and community engagement.
Subcouncil chair Johannes van der Merwe called the deployment an “historic event” and praised Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith for making it a reality.
Ward officers
Smith told the meeting the idea of dedicated ward officers went back to 2018.
Then-Mayor Dan Plato was keen on his suggestion of one officer per ward. Establishing the principle was critical, because if the model was accepted expanding it to more officers would become possible, Smith explained.
But then the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), a joint initiative between the Western Cape Government and the City, was established aimed at deploying officers to high-crime hotspots.
The province committed to paying for entry-level staff, the boots on the ground, while the City had to pay for supervisory staff.
“That was the end of ‘one officer per ward’,” Smith said. “Instead of 116 officers we then got 1 300 officers, which was a good deal.”
He pointed out that crime statistics showed a downward trend in the 13 priority hotspots where LEAP officers have been deployed. “More boots on the ground meant greater safety.”
Local focus
Smith highlighted the importance of local familiarity, which the ward-based model aims to address. Traditionally, Metro Police and other City officers respond across vast areas, he said, leading to slow response times and unfamiliarity with the areas they serve.
He emphasised that neighbourhood watches are vital allies, passionate, committed volunteers who can provide intelligence and support.
Smith encouraged the officers to distribute tip-off pamphlets informing residents how to get in touch with them.
A new app is coming soon that will allow residents to submit requests digitally. These will link to the City’s EPIC system and computer-aided dispatch.
Function
Each ward will be assigned two vehicles and officers equipped with bodycams and hand-held devices. Weekly reports, drawn from the EPIC system, will be shared with councillors to keep communities informed of progress.
Smith advised the ward councillors to meet regularly, at least fortnightly, with the sergeants to relay emerging issues, whether related to crime or service delivery.
The officers will hopefully gain a good understanding of local hotspots, identify repeat offenders and recurring problems, follow-up and shift towards proactive intervention rather than just responding to complaints.
Their function is threefold: traffic enforcement, City bylaw enforcement and also crime prevention.
Smith cautioned against unrealistic expectations. Five officers per ward will not solve crime, he said, especially given the severe under-deployment of police. According to Smith the province lost 2 200 police officers over the past two years.
“I hope that if we deliver value we can convince Council in a few years to invest more,” Smith said, “to add another three or five per ward, or prioritise high-crime wards with a few more officers.”
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